Ibrox View: Signing John Lundstram on a free transfer is surely a no-brainer for Rangers
Rangers have made some eye-catching moves in the transfer window during Steven Gerrard’s tenure as manager.
From Jermain Defoe to Ianis Hagi, the Gers have landed a number of coups that have undoubtedly improved their squad and moved them significantly closer to stopping Celtic’s dominance north of the border.
But perhaps none would be as impressive as the signing of Sheffield United midfielder John Lundstram.
According to The Sun reporter Alan Nixon, the Gers are eyeing up a pre-contractual agreement with the Blades man, which could see him arrive at Ibrox next summer on a free transfer.
And that would be a major coup.
To land a 26-year-old Premier League midfielder in the prime of his career for nothing would be great business, no matter which way you look at it.
His stats from last season really emphasise his quality too.
The player contested more duels in the centre of the park than Steven Davis last term, and had a long pass accuracy that was 5.2% better, as per Wyscout.
Perhaps most telling, however, is the fact that he managed 0.14 more goals per 90 minutes.
Having a box-to-box midfielder who can also chip in with a goal or two would be a real boost to Gerrard’s men, and Lundstram certainly knows where the back of the net is.
In fact, in his most recent outing for the Blades, the player found the back of the net with a consolation goal in the 3-1 defeat to Southampton on the last day of the Premier League season.
The strike really gave us a flavour of the sort of what Lundstram is all about too.
As the ball is played wide, he is already looking to get himself into the penalty area, gambling on a chance coming his way.
As the cross is delivered, it takes an awkward bounce and unexpectedly finds its way to the back post.
Lundstram springs into life brilliantly and reacts a lot quicker than his marker.
That sharpness allows him to reach the ball first, giving him an uncontested shot from point-blank range.
Credit where credit is due though, the midfielder still a lot left to do, and he shows wonderful composure to slot the ball through the keeper’s legs with power and accuracy.
That goal was one of five that Lundstram struck in the Premier League last term, and if that’s the kind of threat he poses in England, imagine what he could do in the Scottish top flight.
Signing him would be a fantastic idea. Signing him for free is an absolute no-brainer.
In other Rangers news, Alex McLeish claims Steven Gerrard is ‘massive draw’ for Gers in transfer market.